A study published in Neurology found that individuals with lower levels of education are at a higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Those with higher levels of education had an 80-percent lower risk, possibly due to a greater cognitive reserve.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that hormone therapy taken in early post-menopause has no effect on women's memory, but may lead to increased sexual interest. The research involved 180 women who underwent tests on cognitive function, emotional status, and sleep.
A six-year study involving 3,885 participants found no significant changes in memory function among overweight and obese individuals. In contrast, those who were underweight experienced more cognitive decline over time. The study suggests that being overweight or obese in old age may not be a risk factor for memory problems.
Researchers analyzed genes of 278 people with Parkinson's disease and found a higher prevalence of mutations in the GBA gene among those diagnosed before age 50. The study suggests that Jewish ancestry may be an important risk factor for younger-onset Parkinson's disease due to the increased presence of GBA gene mutations in this group.
A study published in Neurology found that people with multiple sclerosis who stop taking natalizumab may develop more brain lesions, indicating increased disease activity. The results suggest that discontinuing the drug can lead to a rebound increase in disease activity, particularly for those who take it for a short time.
A Mediterranean diet was found to reduce mortality in Alzheimer's patients by an average of 1.3 years for moderate adherence and four years for strict following. The study followed 192 people with Alzheimer's disease in New York for an average of four and a half years.
Women with migraine who suffered childhood abuse were more likely to experience depression than those without abuse. The study found a significant association between childhood abuse and depression in women with migraine, suggesting that neurobiological systems may be altered by adverse experiences.
A recent study published in Neurology found that smokers are 50% more likely to develop dementia than nonsmokers or past smokers. The study suggests that smoking increases the risk of dementia through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, which can damage cells in blood vessels and lead to hardening of the arteries.
Research suggests that removing ovaries before menopause may lead to increased risks of cognitive decline and movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Women who underwent surgery at a younger age were found to be more likely to develop dementia and Parkinsonism.
People who stopped taking cholesterol-lowering drugs after a stroke are at greater risk of death or dependency. The study found that those who continued taking statins had a significantly lower risk of dying or becoming dependent on others.
A new nasal spray treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in rapidly treating cluster headaches, considered the most painful type of headache. The study involved 52 people with cluster headaches who used zolmitriptan nasal spray or placebo to treat 151 separate attacks.
A study found that women with dementia start losing weight up to 20 years before diagnosis, due to reduced appetite and motivation. Men with dementia do not experience significant weight loss in the years leading up to diagnosis.
Research found 90% of patients with multiple aura types had seizures originating from the non-dominant side of their brain. Epilepsy surgery was effective in stopping seizures in over half of study participants.
A study found that 21% of patients taking verapamil for cluster headaches experienced irregular heartbeats, while 37% had slower than normal heart rates. Close monitoring with electrocardiograms is recommended to mitigate potential heart problems.
A new oral treatment, EN101 antisense, has been shown to significantly reduce muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis. The study found that patients experienced improved muscle function, swallowing time, and disappearance of symptoms such as drooping eyelids.
A study published in Neurology found that women who drank more than three cups of coffee per day had less decline in memory over time. The benefits increased with age, with coffee drinkers being 30-70% less likely to experience memory decline.
A six-month study found that a medication initially used for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease improved memory and global function in people with severe Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive tests showed stabilization or improvement in 63% of participants taking the drug compared to 39% on placebo.
A study published in Neurology found that reading ability is a protective factor against the negative effects of lead exposure on the brain. Workers with higher reading levels showed less cognitive decline compared to those with lower reading abilities.
A study published in Neurology found that people who spent more time in the sun as children may have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The study involved 79 pairs of identical twins and found that the twin with MS spent less time in the sun as a child, leading to a reduced risk of 25-57% depending on the activity.
People with writer's cramp have reduced grey matter in specific brain regions, including the cerebellum and sensorimotor cortex. The study suggests that these changes may be a result of sustained repetitive movement, or an adaptation to the condition.
A study published in the American Academy of Neurology found that older women experiencing memory loss are more likely to have sleep disturbances. The nearly 25% of women who experienced cognitive decline were twice as likely to experience sleep disturbances as those without memory problems.
A new report found that children with brain tumors have lower grades in each subject, particularly in foreign language, with over 58% of female patients receiving below an eight. Despite this, most survivors completed the ninth grade at the usual age, suggesting a glimmer of hope for these students.
Researchers identified risk factors for hallucinations, sleepiness and swelling in people with early Parkinson's disease, including being male, having multiple health problems and taking certain medications. The study found nearly half of participants developed swelling within four years of treatment.
Researchers have identified a new gene mutation in the progranulin gene associated with frontotemporal dementia. The mutation leads to a loss of protein production, which can cause brain cell death. This discovery provides new insights into the disease and may lead to the development of new therapies.
Researchers found antibody levels in African American MS patients were 29% higher than Caucasians, linked to increased disability and shorter disease duration. Genetic background differences may contribute to this disparity.
A recent study published in Neurology found that teenagers from low-income households are more likely to suffer from migraine compared to those from upper-income families. The study surveyed over 18,700 adolescents and their parents, revealing a significant association between socioeconomic status and migraine prevalence.
A large Canadian family study found that both fathers and mothers with multiple sclerosis equally transmitted the genetic risk of the disease to their children. The study contradicts previous findings suggesting men may be more likely to pass on the risk, contradicting the Carter effect.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that older adults with high levels of cognitive activity were 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Frequent cognitive stimulation during old age was associated with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment and slower decline in cognitive function.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that more women than men experience a mid-life stroke between the ages of 45-54. The researchers identified increased waist size and coronary artery disease as predictors of stroke among women in this age group, with no sex differences observed in other age groups.
People who experience negative emotions such as depression and anxiety are 40% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment. Chronic stress affects the brain's stress response area, also regulating memory. Researchers found that distress-prone individuals are at a higher risk of developing memory problems over time.
For people with temporal lobe epilepsy, epilepsy surgery can eliminate seizures in 60-85% and improve quality of life, but also lead to memory problems in 25-40%. Quality of life scores remain stable for those with seizures only.
A study published in Neurology found that moderate strengthening exercises can slow the progression of ALS by 12%, maintaining function and quality of life. The research suggests individualized rehabilitation programs can help people with ALS maintain independence for longer.
A study found that people with dementia with Lewy bodies displayed passive personality changes, such as apathy and repetitive behaviors, more frequently than those with Alzheimer's. These changes can occur years before cognitive symptoms, enabling earlier diagnosis and potentially disease-modifying treatments.
Research suggests that people with high levels of inflammation in their blood are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. The study of over 600 participants found that those with elevated cytokines were nearly twice as likely to develop the disease.
The American Academy of Neurology has published a new guideline for treating Lyme disease affecting the nervous system, finding conventional antibiotic courses highly effective. Prolonged antibiotic treatment does not improve outcomes for patients with persistent symptoms after standard therapy.
A study of 149 patients with low-grade gliomas found that temozolomide reduced tumor size in 53% and stabilized it in 37%, while increasing it in 10%. Genetic testing revealed that missing the 1p/19q gene was associated with better treatment outcomes.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that consuming up to one drink a day can slow the development of dementia in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The participants, aged 65-84, who consumed wine had an 85% slower rate of progression compared to those who never drank.
Researchers found that individuals with minimal motor problems at the beginning of the study were nearly five times more likely to be diagnosed with Huntington's disease a year and a half later. Those who performed worse on cognitive tests, such as psychomotor speed, were also at increased risk.
A study published in Neurology found that middle-aged individuals with a history of migraine and other headaches are more likely to develop retinopathy, which can lead to severe vision problems or blindness. The association was strongest among those with migraine headaches and aura.
A study published in Neurology found that brain scans of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show increased uptake of PIB, a biomarker for abnormal protein aggregation growth, similar to what is seen in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may be possible through imaging tests.
A study published in Neurology found that daily steroid treatments increased the walking time of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by 3.3 years and reduced the incidence of scoliosis. However, treatment was associated with a higher risk of vertebral and leg fractures.
Researchers have developed an oral vaccine that can prevent mice from developing brain diseases similar to mad cow disease. The vaccine stimulates the immune system, resulting in delayed onset of symptoms even in mice with low antibody levels.
A study of 187 two-year-old children found that those whose mothers took valproate during pregnancy had a higher risk of lower IQ. Children exposed to valproate showed an IQ in the mental retardation range at a rate of 24%, compared to 12% for carbamazepine and phenytoin, and 9% for lamotrigine.
Research suggests that Iraq veterans with migraines are more likely to also have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. The study found a significant association between migraine headaches and psychiatric conditions in soldiers returning from deployment.
Research presented at the American Academy of Neurology's meeting found that women using estrogen hormone therapy before age 65 had a nearly 50% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The study followed over 7,000 healthy women aged 65-79 for an average of five years.
Research reveals children from low-income families experience 25% more sleeping problems than middle-class peers, impacting their health and academic success. The study, led by Anuj Chawla, highlights the need for further investigation into this issue.
Research suggests that heavy drinkers have smaller brains than non-drinkers, with moderate to high drinkers showing significant reductions in brain volume. The study found a 1.6% decrease in brain volume for those who consumed over 14 drinks per week.
Research finds that siblings of people who have had a stroke are at increased risk of also having a stroke, with some groups facing even higher risks. The study suggests a possible genetic link to ischemic strokes in certain ethnic groups.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as atorvastatin, reduced the risk of stroke by 4% for every 10% decrease in LDL 'bad' cholesterol. The study also showed a 7% reduction in heart attack risk. Participants with higher HDL 'good' cholesterol levels had an added protection against str...
Research reveals that blows to the head in amateur boxing lead to elevated levels of biochemical markers for brain injury. A particular marker for neuronal damage, neurofilament light, was found to be four times higher in boxers after a fight compared to healthy non-athletes.